Friday, 15 November 2013

Horror Review: The Conjuring (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

Ghost story films have slowly been making a comeback over the last few years and "The Conjuring" is continuing that.

I was a little sceptical going into this film, the hype around it was huge and we all know how that can turn out. So when I finally got the chance to watch it I tried to forget about all I had heard and go into it with a level head. For the next near 2 hours I was entranced in the story unfolding on my screen and the amazing acting that went with it, there was no doubting the hype at all.Director James Wan wore his influences on his sleeves, the cinematography and atmosphere of the film is comparative to 1970's horror films. With virtually no sex, no gore and no swearing the film relies on it's story and it's solid enough to work that way.

The cast of the film put in one hell of a performance without it seeming to over the top, there is a fine line. Vera Farmiga and Lili Taylor steal the show with their oscar worthy performances that we've come to expect from the experienced actresses.

With news coming out that there will be more, that makes me a little dubious as I don't see how you can top this. Although I will admit I'd love to see a film on the Annabelle doll.

"The Conjuring" is a fantastic film, it's easily one of my favourite films of 2013.

If you want to see "The Conjuring" trailer then just click on the video below:

Miscellaneous facts about the film:Was shot in chronological order.Lorraine Warren and 'Andrea Perron' served as consultants to director James Wan and the screenwriters. They both claim the movie is accurate to the real story of what happened to the Perrons during the 10-years they lived in the farmhouse.

Eight generations of families lived and died in the house before the Perrons moved in. Andrea Perron suggests that some of the spirits from the families never left. Deaths include two documented suicides, a poisoning death, the rape and murder of an 11-year old girl, two drownings, and the passing of four men who froze to death. Most deaths occurred within the Arnold family from which Bathsheba Sherman was descended.The state of Rhode Island does not require home sellers to disclose documented paranormal and supernatural hauntings to potential buyers. This is why the Perrons were unaware of all previous events.Lili Taylor researched The Exorcist to prepare for her role.The real Annabelle doll was a rag doll not a broken porcelain doll as the movie depicts.Andrea Perron wrote a three-part book based on her experiences in the house titled 'House of Darkness, House of Light.' Experiences written about in her book also appear in the film. Perron cites the film as a work of art and not a work of fiction.A movie based on the Perron family house has been in the works for over 20 years. It first surfaced when Ed Warren played a tape of his interview with Carolyn Perron to producer Tony DeRosa-Grund.Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga both travelled to Connecticut to meet with Lorraine Warren prior to filming.Not only marks the second film composer Joseph Bishara has scored a James Wan film, but it is the second time he has played a demon figure for Wan. He portrays the demon embodiment of Bathsheba Sherman and previously played a lipstick-faced demon in Insidious.Marks the third collaboration between James Wan and Patrick Wilson. The pair also worked together in Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated the Perron's Rhode Island farmhouse from 1973-1974.This is the first film by James Wan that did not involve Leigh Whannell in any way.The first film directed by James Wan to not feature a cameo of the Billy puppet doll from the Saw franchise.The film broke box office records after bringing in a total of $41 million at the box office during its opening weekend. It stands as the third highest grossing opening weekend for an R-rated horror film behind Paranormal Activity 3 and Hannibal. The Conjuring made a total of $137 million at the box office.